Luminous Landscape Forum
Raw & Post Processing, Printing => Printing: Printers, Papers and Inks => Topic started by: drralph on February 12, 2018, 08:18:40 am
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I am preparing to get started with roll printing on my Epson P800. I read that loading roll paper can be finicky, and the leading edge needs to be perfectly square. Is a good rotary trimmer a necessary tool when working with roll paper? If so, the Rotatrim models seem favorably regarded on this board. I am also thinking a de-roller might be a worthwhile investment.
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I use a Rotatrim Mastercut II. It's a bit expensive, but well worth it. Very precise and robust.
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I use a Rotatrim Mastercut II. It's a bit expensive, but well worth it. Very precise and robust.
Mark, is it essential for working with roll paper?
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I don't have a rotary trimmer, nor am I bothered by loading rolls cut with a utility knife. Neither my Epson 9800 nor my HPZ3200 care about loading these definitely non-square 44" wide cuts.
I feel no need for a de-roller, either. I use an empty media cardboard tube.
What trimming I do is easily accomplished with my Logan matte cutter - a more versatile tool, IMHO.
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Mark, is it essential for working with roll paper?
No, not essential - what Peter McLennan suggested of course also works. It's a matter of taste. Personally, I find such a trimmer easier to achieve precision with than a utility knife, but that just means Peter has more manual dexterity than I do! :-)
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FWIW, if you don't mind a novice perspective: I'm new to the world of printing. I picked up a P800 with roller, and decided to try and do most of my printing using roll paper because it seems like a more cost effective way to go. I also picked up a trimmer, a Dahle 554, which you could argue blew away any arguments about cost effectiveness, but I digress. I tried this setup for the first time this weekend, and the trimmer honestly makes the whole process very nice and convenient. For me, where my goal is to try and print any/all sizes from roll paper, I currently don't see how I'd get along without a trimmer and still enjoy the process. My $0.02.
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When I moved from a 4880 (auto cut) to the P800 (manual cut), I simply employ the ruled cutting mat, a 40" ruler and a utility knife to trim the ends of the roll. It hasn't complained yet.
The mat, knife and ruler are also employed when trimming and mounting the prints produced.
Alan
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Sounds like I can hold off on either a trimmer/mat cutter or a de-roller, and get my feet wet in the roll printing process. If I find further motivation to acquire any of these tools/toys, I can do so later.
Thanks all for your input!
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Sounds like I can hold off on either a trimmer/mat cutter or a de-roller, and get my feet wet in the roll printing process. If I find further motivation to acquire any of these tools/toys, I can do so later.
Thanks all for your input!
I think there's a good chance at some point you will want to consider adding a trimmer to your equipment list. I can't imagine my studio without one, but I suppose it depends a great deal on your volume and your process.
Regarding your P800, I think once you get your paper going you'll be okay with uneven cutoffs, but the issue will be if you have to reload the paper. If you do, having square ends may become more important, and I doubt a cut off end will suffice. You may find yourself removing the roll and re-cutting the ends. Also keep in mind that not all printers are the same. While some printers may accept less than square edges, others may not. From what I've read, the P800 may be more sensitive to non-square ends. But I have no experience with that model, so I really wish you the best. On my iPF6450, I periodically have to re-trim the ends of a roll...kind of a pain, but it doesn't happen often.
Patrick
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No, not essential - what Peter McLennan suggested of course also works. It's a matter of taste. Personally, I find such a trimmer easier to achieve precision with than a utility knife, but that just means Peter has more manual dexterity than I do! :-)
Not necessarily! :)
I use the Logan matte cutter for most of what Rotatrims will do. I only deign to go full manual when I have to.
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I LOVE my rotary trimmer. Wouldn't give it up.
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I use a Logan matte cutter -- but really think I should get a rotary trimmer, the matte cutter sort of does the job, but just sort of...
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I use a Logan matte cutter ... the matte cutter sort of does the job, but just sort of...
Agreed. But I don't think I need both. For lightweight materials, a rotary cutter is convenient and precise, but I think it'd struggle with foam core. My Logan handles it with ease. Art boards and Gator, too. Thank goodness we have such choice.
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I'm in a similar place, with a P800 and considering the economies of working with roll paper. I can say if you are considering working with canvas, don't bother with a Logan mat cutter, a new blade lasted about 4 cuts before it wouldn't cut cleanly any more. Even on the second cut of Epson Water Resistant Matte canvas, it frayed at the tail end of the canvas, and most cuts thereafter. Instead I've invested in both a 18" t-square and a 16" x 24" roofers square, and will try working with an accurate 90 degtree line and a hobby knife. Don't get me wrong, I'd love a rotary cutter, but don't have space for yet another large board. If you're competent with a hobby knife, it should be okay. When I do eventually get one, it'll most likely be a Rotatrim MasterCut MCA2, single square bare, or the Professional M24 with twin bars.
My other reasoning was, if you should print off a panorama which doesn't utilize the full 17" width of the paper, you're still going to have to use the hobby knife on the longer side anyway.
Regarding the D-Rolller, there are a few videos out there showing home made equivalents. I'd build myself a good one.
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Necessary -- No, but a real time saver.
Yes you can cut with a straightedge and a self-healing mat or with a Logan mat cutter. Both will make good cuts. Question is how easy and convenient are they? The Rotatrim is very convenient and fast for cutting out multiple images from a sheet that you print. It also can trim off a very thin amount if you miss the mark by a bit. I have both and wouldn't be without them but if you are just trimming square the roll paper the convenience of a rotary trimer may not be worth the investment.
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Will a Rotatrim cut canvas? I've never tried.
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Will a Rotatrim cut canvas? I've never tried.
To tell you the truth I haven't either (till tonight) I usually print on Breathing Color Lyve on my P9000 and trim the edges with a straightedge and Olfal knife on a self healing mat as the canvas prints are usually larger than my smaller 24" Rotatrim. But I tried it tonight and was surprised how easy and clean the cuts were with the Rotatrim. So yes it can and quite nicely but not sure if it will require a blade change earlier than usual as the canvas is quite thick. BTW I have had two of the Rotatrims for 20 years or more and cut more prints than I can imagine and no blade change or maintenance over all these years.
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Thanks, Robert. My Logan handles and cuts canvas fine, but only up to 40". Usually my canvas trimming is with an Olfa and cutting surface, like you.
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Will a Rotatrim cut canvas? I've never tried.
Yes, a Rototrim will cut canvas without too much difficulty. It is will even cut 1/4" foam board, but I would not recommend using it as it really stresses it. For foamboard I use a Keencut Evolution cutter...works great, but I realize it's an expensive option.
For canvas, the best bet would be to use a straight edge and a sharp (new) razor cutter, IMO.
Patrick
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I am preparing to get started with roll printing on my Epson P800. I read that loading roll paper can be finicky, and the leading edge needs to be perfectly square. Is a good rotary trimmer a necessary tool when working with roll paper? If so, the Rotatrim models seem favorably regarded on this board. I am also thinking a de-roller might be a worthwhile investment.
The Rotatrims are very good, but you can do just as well - and less expensively - with a self-healing cutting mat, a good metal straightedge, and a box cutter or similar.
I am not familiar with the P800, using a 7900, but in my experience the leading edge does not need to be perfect.
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YES, definitely ROTATRIM! I think I might have told this story before on LuLa, not sure. Since the late 60's until digital printing in 2003, my business consisted of mostly Custom Colour darkroom printing for Pro and serious amateur photographers. In the mid 70's I purchased my first Rotatrim cutter. At that time I was often running quantities of 1500 to 2000 8x10 colour prints for GM, in Oshawa, Ontario. Using two Nord 11" roll easels I could spit out prints at a very efficient pace. Printing on 8" roll was simple, but trimming each 10" length became a PITA, until the Rotatrim became part of my workflow. As mentioned, that first 15" Rotatrim cutter was purchased in 1974. I have often wished that it had a Cut-Odometer, because I know it has seen more that a million cuts, and I still use it for certain tasks. I'm sure it will someday end up in the Rotatrim Hall OF Fame. It has definitely been a whole team of workhorses for me for all of these years. I also have a 24" Rotatrim, but of course it hasn't seen as much of a workload as the 15". About 8 years ago I purchased the new version of the 15" cutter, but for everyday use the '74 model still does a great job. And with the self sharpening Sheffield Steel blade, it has only needed the occasional tightening to keep it in line.
Hall OF Fame here we come! :)
Gary